The Thunder entered Sunday one win away from capping off a historic season with an NBA title. It was their MVP that led them to the win, and the first championship since the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City.
After struggling in Game 6 of the Finals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged the challenges presented by the Pacers’ defense and looked ahead to bouncing back in the winner-takes-all Game 7. That’s exactly what he did.
Gilgeous-Alexander had been excellent in closeout wins in the playoffs, posting an average of 35.7 points in OKC’s first three closeout wins. He did more of the same in the NBA Finals, only this time by creating for others instead of himself.
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From the game’s onset, Gilgeous-Alexander flexed his playmaking muscle as his passing kept the Thunder’s offense from stagnating. He entered the halftime break with a game-high seven assists and did even more of the same in the second half to help lead OKC to the promised land.
The Sporting News tracked SGA’s performance as he did what was necessary to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy.
MORE NBA FINALS GAME 7:
How many points did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander score today?
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points in Oklahoma City’s Game 7 win over Indiana.
Final score: Thunder 103, Pacers 91
- Points: 29
- Rebounds: 5
- Assists: 12
- Steals: 1
- Blocks: 2
- TOs: 1
- Fouls: 5
- FG: 8-27 (29.6%)
- 3FG: 2-12 (16.7%)
- FT: 11-12 (91.7%)
25 Points, 10 Assists & 5 Rebounds in an NBA Finals Game 7
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2025 Thunder)
LeBron James (2016 Cavaliers)
James Worthy (1988 Lakers)
Walt Frazier (1970 Knicks)
Jerry West (1969 Lakers) pic.twitter.com/I6QB8qWMGz— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) June 23, 2025
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Game 7 highlights vs. Pacers
After turning the ball over eight times and getting sped up offensively in Game 6, Gilgeous-Alexander’s pace was much more controlled as he set the table for his teammates to start Game 7.
Game 7️⃣ workin’ pic.twitter.com/CN3aTSkmkC
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 23, 2025
When Gilgeous-Alexander gets to his spot in the mid-range, good luck,
CASON WALLACE 3RD STEAL 🔐
SHAI MIDDY FOR 12 POINTS 🔥Thunder retake the lead in GAME 7 on ABC! pic.twitter.com/f5Mo5aB4Vc
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander was aggressive in looking for his 3-point shot, and it paid dividends in the second half. Oklahoma City created separation during a stretch that consisted of an SGA 3 and two triples assisted by the MVP.
SHAI TRIPLE.
CHET TRIPLE.
JDUB TRIPLE.Big-time shooting from OKC in GAME 7 to open up a 9-point lead 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/OJUTRMrxi7
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2025
SGA TRIPLE FOR 25 POINTS 🔥
The #KiaMVP is WILLING the Thunder in Game 7!
🏆 OKC leads in 4Q on ABC 🏆 pic.twitter.com/tiDjZbTakK
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2025
SGA’s ability to penetrate into the teeth of Indiana’s defense allowed him to kick it out to the Thunder’s shooters, something he did throughout the game.
Right on target 🎯 pic.twitter.com/UWzuVKvTqu
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 23, 2025
